Herbicide advice

Here is further advice, this time from the RHS (to whom many thanks):

"Although approved for use in edible crops glyphosate is inconsistent with organic methods as it is synthetic chemical.
This leaflet may be of interest:
Organic


Our bindweed information can be found here:
Bindweed

I hope this information is helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Guy Barter
Chief Horticultural Advisor

Weed Killer Advice

I was asked at the meeting last night if "Roundup" is organic. A reasonable question as I have heard it suggested that it breaks down into harmless compounds on soil contact. I do not know the answer, so I have contacted the RHS and Garden Organic for advice.

Garden Organic have responded already (great service):

"Glyphosate is certainly not acceptable for commercial organic production on certified land. We would not advocate its use in other circumstances although it is probably less harmful than some pesticides."


The story does not end there and there is more information available:

Please see our Organic Gardening Guidelines for more information:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/pdfs/Organic-Gardening-Guidelines-2010.pdf

There are still environmental concerns. See the factsheet here:
http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/glyphosa.htm
There is a lot of information on the ISIS website, particularly related to Monsanto and the cover-up of the health implications of glyphosate here (birth defects and cancer) - http://www.i-sis.org.uk/SS-glyphosate.php

All in all it seems that if you wish to cultivate along organic lines then other measures to counteract bindweed are may be safer and more sustainable.

As soon as the RHS advice arrives I will publish that also.